Wendy Greuel draws fire from Eric Garcetti over debate

A day after Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa complained that education wasn't getting enough attention in the campaign, the two mayoral candidates traded barbs over plans to have a debate on the topic.

City Controller Wendy Greuel challenged City Councilman Eric Garcetti on Wednesday to an impromptu debate on education - with two hours' notice. Garcetti's campaign shot her down, retorting that the offer was a gimmick, and that Greuel's staff had ignored an effort by Garcetti's staff to set up a debate next month.

Greuel offered her debate challenge shortly after noon Wednesday, saying she was ready to meet Garcetti at a Westlake high school at 2:15 p.m.

Garcetti spokesman Jeff Millman called the invite a stunt and said the councilman would not go because he had a previously scheduled event Wednesday. He also said his campaign was already trying to schedule an education-themed debate with Greuel in May.

Millman released a campaign email that he said his office had sent late Tuesday night to the Greuel campaign trying to set up an education-themed debate, but he said Greuel's staff ignored the message.

"Let's end the political games and get serious about education," Millman said.

Greuel spokeswoman Shannon Murphy said the email was received after hours. She added that Greuel doesn't want to wait until May to debate.

"Wendy has made it clear that she is prepared to debate," Murphy said. "What she said is that life isn't about waiting around, there are pop quizzes."

The bickering over education - and debates - comes amid a call by Villaraigosa to make education reform a priority in the mayor's race. Villaraigosa, who sought to wrest control of the local school system during his first term, criticized the two candidates Tuesday during his annual State of the City address, saying education reform "can't be a footnote on a campaign mailer or fodder for an attack ad."

Apparently spurred on by those complaints, Greuel attempted to hold a debate Wednesday. Her campaign indicated in its email Wednesday to the Garcetti campaign that the president of the school board, Monica Garcia, would serve as a moderator. Garcia has endorsed Greuel.

Education expert Ryan J. Smith, director of education programs and policy at the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, agreed Greuel and Garcetti need to be more specific on education reform.

"How will they uplift the lowest performing schools, how can they make sure the city gets state and federal funding?" said Smith, who declined to comment directly on the debate argument between Greuel and Garcetti.

Some have criticized the mayor's race for having a juvenile feel at times. Earlier this year, primary contenders Kevin James and Councilwoman Jan Perry were caught playing a game that mocked Greuel by counting the number of times the controller mentioned her former boss, Mayor Tom Bradley, during debates.

Villaraigosa declined Wednesday to weigh in on the scuffle over an education debate.

"The mayor has said what he wants to say on education and the campaign," Villaraigosa spokesman Peter Sanders said. "He is focused on his job as mayor and is not going to comment on the back-and-forth between the two candidates."

UPDATE: The head of the school visited by Greuel on Wednesday accused Greuel of "negative campaigning."Full story here

Ana Ponce, CEO of Camino Nuevo in Westlake, said she was unaware Greuel would use the site to criticize Garcetti. "It was disappointing for Camino Nuevo to get caught up in this situation," said Ponce. "We aren't interested in participating, in having Camino Nuevo as a backdrop for negative campaigning."